This is the UK seaside city that is the perfect place to visit at Christmas
- UK Hidden Gems
- 2 hours ago
- 2 min read
With Christmas drawing closer, many people across the UK are starting to think about where and how they will enjoy the festive season.
Instead of going abroad or staying at home, lots are choosing a festive staycation, mixing Christmas markets, seasonal charm and winter attractions without the hassle of travelling overseas.
A new study by Sweepstakes Table, an online site for sweepstakes and entertainment, has revealed which UK cities offer the best Christmas staycation this year.
The research looked at 40 UK cities and scored them across seven key areas: average hotel prices in December, Christmas market ratings, number of attractions, annual snowfall days, dining costs, search popularity and safety.
The data was gathered from sources such as Kayak, TripAdvisor, Numbeo, Weather Atlas and Google Ads.
The findings show that Portsmouth took first place with the highest Festive Staycation Score, making it the top choice for a cosy Christmas break.
The city scored 71 out of 100 points. Portsmouth offers great value too, with hotel prices averaging £85 a night in December, which is much cheaper than many other cities.
Portsmouth’s Christmas Village also earned an impressive 87 rating on TripAdvisor, matching some of the very best festive events in the UK.
The results also show that the city has an amazing 59.9 attractions per 10km², giving visitors plenty to enjoy besides the market. With 7.5 snowfall days each year, Portsmouth is one of the top cities where you might just see a white Christmas.
A meal for two costs around £60 on average, and the city’s strong safety rating brings extra reassurance for families.
From late November, visitors can enjoy Christmas light switch on events across Southsea, Cosham and the city centre, while the lively Commercial Road Christmas Market offers handmade gifts, festive food and warming mulled wine.
Guildhall Square becomes a winter wonderland thanks to its real ice rink, Portsmouth On Ice, which is perfect for both families and couples looking for festive fun.
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As with anywhere outdoors, kindly keep these areas pristine and wild by taking all trash with you. The amount of complaints we have seen since the pandemic is crazy. It's really not that hard to take your rubbish with you!
Litter tends to spread, so if you see any and are able to pick it up and dispose of it outside the hidden gem, it will help keep the area tidy.
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